The former prostitute knows the degradation, the humiliation, the despair. She also knows what it takes to get out of the business.
Time.
Hill, president of Sisters Offering Support, has joined several Waikiki community groups and the Honolulu Police Department in supporting a bill calling for mandatory 48-hour jail sentences for prostitutes convicted of plying their trade for the first time.
The measure before the Senate Judiciary Committee would require jail time for street solicitation of prostitution and prevent those appealing convictions from posting bail.
Hill said the mandatory jail time can make all the difference in helping hookers break free from the lifestyle.
"A 48-hour incarceration time is an ideal span of time for providing arrestees the assistance needed to leave prostitution, safely and successfully," she said.
But Moanikeala Akaka and Samuel L. Kealoha Jr. say problems remain with the OHA election process.
The state's chief election officer, however, says he has done everything possible to ensure the procedure is trouble-free.
Akaka and Kealoha said their concerns about non-Hawaiians who received OHA ballots and registered Hawaiians who did not - as well as other persistent problems - were not addressed.
For example, Akaka said she knows of Hawaiians who were unfairly removed from the OHA list because they didn't sign the voter registration box on the Hawaii drivers license application while renewing their license. The state, she said, has an obligation to ensure the integrity of the election process.
"A dark cloud of doubt remains on the validity of the OHA election procedures," said Akaka, who also spoke on behalf of Kealoha.
The Hawaii court on Tuesday ruled Akaka and Kealoha didn't provide enough evidence to show irregularities with the OHA election would have resulted in a different outcome. The court said the two were on a "fishing expedition" for problems with the election procedure.
The decision cleared the way for Hannah Springer and Colette Machado to be sworn in as trustees and for the OHA board to reorganize. The board meets Tuesday, although reorganization is not on the agenda.
"I totally support our local dairies, but obviously I'll soon have to buy a cow," quipped Big Island resident Helene Spencer.
Gov. Ben Cayetano said he'll most likely accept the state Board of Agriculture's recommendation late yesterday to raise the minimum price of raw milk $4 per 100 pounds from $23.20 to $27.20.
"I am inclined to go along with the board's recommendation if this means the preservation of Honolulu's milk industry," Cayetano said in a release.
The governor's comments are important because he rejected the same recommendation from the board in January. He changed his mind after meeting with Oahu dairy farmers who pleaded that the increase is necessary for their survival.
Cayetano said that by allowing the increase, he's leaving it in the hands of consumers to decide whether to continue support of the local milk industry.
Meadow Gold Dairies General Manager Glenn Muranaka said the increase will do more to hurt local dairy farmers.
Muranaka said Meadow Gold currently purchases about 30 percent of its unprocessed milk from the mainland. Now the company needs to consider bringing more in.
"They may have priced themselves out of the market," Muranaka said.
The robber, described as 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall and in his 50s, got away with an undisclosed sum and left the pipe bomb behind. He also fled with the bank's surveillance tape.
Police bomb experts determined the device was a simulated pipe bomb and rendered it safe.
No one was hurt.
The robber apparently confronted a teller, demanding to see the bank supervisor.
He then ordered the bank supervisor into her office, displaying the alleged device, and made his demands, police said.
The robber was further described as heavy-set with a pot belly.
He wore a plaid shirt, dark pants and light-colored baseball cap.
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